sensors, extend the value of the
energy-saving façade design to the
indoor environment.

With direct solar heat gainsmitigated and daylight and light-ing optimized, a properly sized,expressway. These constraintsimmediately established severalenergy, daylight, noise, and viewdesign challenges for the hot andhumid summer climate of Tokyo.

Energy Efficiency

Using a passive first approach, an
exterior “sudare screen,” or Japanese
traditional blind (Photo 1), was used
over the entire west-facing façade
to block and filter direct solar gain
while maintaining daylight and views.

This sudare screen is positioned 1. 5m (~ 5 ft) in front of the glazed façadeusing the cantilevered floor structureas overhangs. The screen is made of“Y”-shaped aluminum bars, provid-ing a delicate filtering of light. Cleardouble glazing with automaticallycontrolled bottom-up or “climbing”blinds also provide solar shadingwhile still allowing exterior views.

Daylighting is maximized by controlling the light coming through
the windows with automatic solar
adjustment of the angle of the blind
slats every 10 minutes. Through
post-occupancy evaluation, which
was completed in February 2016,
more than 80% of the occupants
were satisfied with the indoor lighting
conditions noting that it was “bright
enough” and “not too bright” (no
presence of glare). Ceiling-integrated
LED lighting, and controls for dimming or turning off lighting in vacant
areas using daylight and motion

CLOCKWISE FROM UPPER LEFT

A delicate extruded-aluminum screen
exploits the material’s highly workable
and corrosion-resistant qualities. The
screen and greenery serve to mitigate the
busy surrounding view.

The thousands of extruded aluminum bars
create a ceiling for the entrance space.
These bars are exactly the same as those
on the building façade, which creates a
strong relationship between the inside
and outside.

The exhibition space in the basement is
usually open to the community. When a
disaster occurs, this space can be used to
support the neighbors.